No more Uncle Ben: Food brand in UK which features black rice farmer on its packets announces it will change its 'visual identity' to 'help put an end to racial injustices'

Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 06:29 EDT, 18 June 2020 | James Robinson

[Olog-hai]

Packet rice brand Uncle Ben’s, a staple in cupboards and larders across Britain, is set to be re-branded amid anti-racism protests across the world by the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a move they hope will “help put an end to racial injustices”, bosses behind the well-known brand have today revealed they are set to “evolve” the visual identity of its products, which are sold in thousands of supermarkets and shops across the UK.

It comes as bosses behind American syrup brand Aunt Jemima, which has in the past been available in UK supermarkets, also announced they would be changing the brand’s packaging.

Since 1946, Uncle Ben’s products, including its much-loved microwave rice packets, have featured a picture of a well-dressed elderly African-American man — said to be based on a famous head waiter at a Chicago hotel.

Meanwhile Mars Inc., the company who owns the brand, say the name Uncle Ben refers to an African-American rice-grower famous for the quality of his rice. …

[Oatka]

No more black people on packaging.

But on TV commercials . . .

[Oatka]

Every one of any decision like this should be preceded with this: